Low income bus pass among key public transit investments proposed in preliminary 2019 budgets

Released: March 1, 2019 at 1:46 p.m.

WINNIPEG, MB – Introducing Winnipeg’s first low income bus pass together with other key initiatives and investments proposed in the 2019 preliminary operating and capital budgets will help make the city’s public transit system more affordable, safe, and convenient Mayor Brian Bowman said today.

The Mayor noted this will be an important year for Winnipeg Transit with the finalization of the Transit Master Plan, construction concluding on the Stage 2 of the Southwest Rapid Transitway, and the first full year where new ridesharing services are available and new regulations of the vehicle-for-hire industry are in place.

“This will be a year requiring important decisions for our city’s transit system,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “Our city’s population continues to grow, and growing cities require efficient, safe, and affordable public transit systems.”

While Winnipeg continues to have among the lowest transit fares compared to other major Canadian cities, the preliminary 2019 budget includes a recommendation for Council to approve a phased-in implementation of a low income bus pass starting on April 1, 2020 further enhancing the service’s affordability and accessibility.

The low income pass would provide eligible adults to qualify for a 30 percent discount on the cost of a full fare adult monthly pass in 2020, a 40 percent discount in 2021, and a 50 percent discount starting April 1, 2022. This will allow Winnipeg Transit to phase in the cost of this initiative over three years while assessing what additional resources might be required within the broader context of the forthcoming Winnipeg Transit Master Plan.

The 2019 preliminary budgets also propose to maintain the affordability of transit by freezing transit fares in 2019 at 2018 levels as was previously approved by Council. This is the first time since 2007 that transit fares have been frozen. The tax supported transfer to transit is proposed to increase to $70.6 million in 2019 representing a six percent increase from last year’s tax supported transfer of $66.4 million. This tax supported transfer further supports the service’s affordability for passengers.

Building on previous safety initiatives, the preliminary budgets also propose significant investments in transit safety including:

  • $3.15 million to purchase and install bus operator safety shields for the entire bus fleet over the next year;
  • $1.1 million to modernize bus communication;
  • $65,000 to equip transit inspectors with protective vests; and
  • $100,000 for a study to support a long-term transit security plan that considers expanding the powers of transit special constables.

The 2019 preliminary budget proposes to continue renewing the bus fleet with an investment of $22.2 million to purchase 34 new buses including buses for the opening of Stage 2 of the Southwest Rapid Transitway.

The preliminary 2019 budgets also propose investments to improve the ridership experience by earmarking over $1 million for additional heated bus shelters in 2019, and $500,000 to improve bus stop accessibility.

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